Jake is currently the room manager of HI 5’s at Tops Corfe Mullen and has been working in Childcare for 4 and a half years.
Can you tell us a bit about your progression? Did you always want to work in childcare? Did you do an apprenticeship? Did you go to college?
When I left school, I decided I wanted to go into childcare, I have a lot of younger siblings and always knew this career is something I was passionate about. I went to Bournemouth and Poole College for three years before coming to work at Tops.
Have you ever experienced negativity in regards to being male in the early year’s sector?
No I haven’t. I think as times are changing, people are becoming more accepting and are really starting to see the benefits to a male working in the Early Years Sector.
What do you love the most about your job?
I love that since working at Tops, I have worked my way up from a level 3 practitioner to the Room Manager of Hi 5’s. I love setting up activities and seeing the benefits the children get from this within their learning and development.
What has been your biggest achievement in your role?
As stated before, becoming a Hi 5’s Room Manager and supporting the individual children I meet within my job role.
Why is it important to encourage more males to work in childcare?
I feel there are many benefits to men working in Early Years. It provides a more diverse work place, which supports children to prepare for the future, for example it is preparing them for a more diverse society. It also provides the children with a male role model as they attend the setting.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to work in the early year’s sector?
As a male working in Early Years, I know what it can be like, being different from the “standard” Early Years Practitioner. Being diverse can not only support the children to be more accepting, creating a more diverse society but is also preparing them for the best start in life, which links in with our Cultural Capital. From seeing different people, children become wiser about the world and having different ideas from another person can introduce them to new activities, ideas and learning opportunities.
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